Amitabh Kant, former G20 Sherpa and former CEO of NITI Aayog inaugurating the 4-day International Spice Conference (ISC 2026) in Kochi.
Amitabh Kant, former G20 Sherpa and former CEO of NITI Aayog, has called upon the spice industry to shift decisively from bulk exports to high-value, branded and technology-driven products.
Inaugurating the 4-day International Spice Conference (ISC 2026) here on Monday, he said the sector stands at a critical juncture as global value chains face disruption, regulations tighten and climate risks intensify.
Recalling Kerala’s two-millennia-old spice trade, from Roman ships sailing to Muziris for “black gold” to today’s blockchain-enabled traceability, Kant said India remains the world’s largest producer, consumer and exporter of spices, with exports crossing 1.8 million tonnes valued at over $4 billion last year. “Our history is a reminder of our potential. The next chapter of the global spice story must again be written from India,” he said.
Next growth phase
He outlined five priorities for the sector: push aggressive value addition in blends, nutraceuticals and branded products; deploy artificial intelligence and data across cultivation, processing and quality systems; build climate-resilient farming models; treat sustainability and traceability as competitive advantages rather than compliance burdens; and place small farmers, who account for over 80 per cent of spice cultivation, at the centre of all policy and market interventions.
Martin Sonntag, Chief Executive Officer of Oterra spoke on “Shaping the Next Decade of Food & Nutrition: Collaboration, Trust and Responsibility.”
The next phase of growth in food and nutrition would be driven by stronger collaboration across the value chain, trust-led compliance ecosystems, and responsible practices that deepen consumer confidence. As the bar rises globally on safety, sustainability and ethical sourcing, only transparent systems and relentless improvement will sustain trust,” he said.
Emmanuel Nambusseril, Chairman, All India Spices Exporters Forum said that “future readiness” is no longer optional as climate risks intensify, consumer expectations evolve and regulatory frameworks become increasingly science-driven.
The conference has evolved into one of the world’s most respected platforms for structured, solutions-oriented dialogue across the spice value chain. The participation this year spans regulatory authorities, exporters, manufacturers, farmer organisations, testing laboratories, certification agencies and allied industries, enabling discussions that are practical and aligned with on-ground realities, he said.
Published on February 23, 2026